The New Cerneau Council In America.

Northern Jurisdiction for the United States of America , " and in the session of October 21 st , 1 S 65 , this alteration was unanimously adopted . It will be remembered , that on the 7 th February , 1 S 63 , the original Cerneau Council , under Bro . Hays , had combined with the " Supreme Council , " under Bro . Raymond .

On the 13 th December , 1 S 65 , Bro . E . Hays " sent in his resignation , and Simon W . Robinson , of Lexington , vvas elected Grand Commander in his place . On this day the Commission reported as to the allegations against Bro . H . J . Seymour , and the result vvas that , by an unanimous vote , the name of Bro . Seymour , was taken off the roll of

members of the Ancient and Accepted Rite under the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction . The Rite progressed until 1 SG 7 , Bro . Robinson commanding the United Council , and Bro . Van Rennsallar the other Supreme Council , until May 17 th , 1 S 6 7 , when G . S . Lewis became Grand Commander , hro tem . For on thc same

day the sceptres of all the former conflicting bodies were laid on the altar , and Bro . Josiah II . Drummond became Grand Commander , of one United Grand Council composed of three previous Councils , namely , that of the Van Rennsallar's Council , that of Cerneau Hays , that of the Raymond United Council . Thus ' all the former

organizations were regularly buried in oblivion under the Grand Union , having but one organization in the Northern jurisdiction and another in thc Southern . Bro . H . G . Seymour in the meantime had reduced the Memphis Rite from ninety-six to thirty-three Degrees , and changed its name to " Supreme Council of the Ancient and

Primitive Rite . " Thc plan vvas also adopted of affirming the continued existence of the " Cerneau Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , United States , " with H . J . Seymour at its head , and entering candidates for the Thirty-second Degree at £ 2 a head . Each brother who brought in twenty members to the Thirty-second Degree

vvas to receive the Thirty-third . There are notv over forty members of the Thirty-third Degree in New York under this new formation in consequence . Some months ago , Bro . W . H . Peckliam became Grand Commander , and Bro . Seymour reassumed that of Master of Ceremonies . In order to strengthen their position they

have published a pamphlet , prefixing to the document a copy of an old charter dated 28 th February , 1798 , of the Royal Order of Scotland , or H . R . D . M . Kilwinning , as a proof of "ineffable Masonry . " The Supreme Council lor the Northern jurisdiction has never deigned to take notice

of the Seymour-Peckham Council , believing that its pretensions to bc a Council are unfounded , clandestine , and un-Masonic . The following correspondence is also submitted : — " New York , March 27 th , 1 SS 0 .

" M . P .. Albert 1 ike , 3 $ , Grand Commander . ,. " Dear Sir and Brother , — * ' I beg to call your attention to the fact that certain persons in this city , claiming , as I am informed , to bc members o 5 the late Cerneau Council , whose chief is , ( or vvas ) , II . G . Seymour , are pretending to confer Degrees of

our Rite , up to and including the Thirty-second , for a nominal fee , thereby misleading many worthy misinformed brethren ***** " We pay no attention to their doings here , as they do not , and cannot , affect us ; but 1 beg to suggest that it might be well to make the fact known to the bodies of

your obedience in such manner as you may deem best . " R . M . C . GRAHAM , 33 . " The following extract from a reply of Bro . Albert Pike , dated Washington , March 31 st , 1 SS 0 , seems to us perfect ! , decisive on the subject : — " Wc do not recognize as a legitimate body that spoken

of in the foregoing letter , known as thc " Cerneau Council " in New York , noi is it recognized as such by any legitimate power of our Rite in" the world , nor will it ever be recognized by us . " You will utterly refuse to recognize as lawfully in possession of any of our Degrees persons claiming to have

received them by authority of that pretended Supreme Council , as you will utterly refuse to admit that they can have any claim upon you as Masons of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite . ' " ALBERT PIKE , " Grand Commander . "

We are also favoured with a circular signed T . Douglas Harrington , Sovereign Grand Commander of the A . and A . Rite in the " Dominion of Canada , " dated November Gth , 1 SS 0 . In it he says that '' whereas the only legitimate Supreme Councils of this Rite for the United States of

America are those of thc Northern jurisdiction , whose see is at Boston , and whose Sovereign Grand Commander is III . Bro . I-I . L . Palmer , 33 , and the Southern jurisdiction , whose Sovereign Grand Commander is 111 . Bro . Albert Pike , 33 ° , " he further goes on to declare that the

" said body , calling itself after a Supreme Council now " ong since defunct , for many years out of existence , is clandestine , " and that " no one made by it , " or " any member of it , " can be recognised by any legitimate member of thc A . and A . Scottish Rite .

Two thousand pounds has been voted by the Assembl y for the purchase of pictures to start a national ? - ? ' [?[ y . Adelaide , and some pictures in the Melbourne i-xinbition have been bought .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

T \ Ve do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving , of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . " ! ,

PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT OF THE BOYS ' SCHOOL . To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Since the notice of motion by Bro . Raynham Stewart for . the proposal to enlarge the Boys' School appeared in your paper , 1 have read with increased

uneasiness that you appear to treat it as a matter of course , because the applicants are so numerous and the vacancies so few , of course the School must be enlarged . Notv , Sir , I and many of my oldest Masonic coadjutors remember how hard we worked to find money to pay for this School from 1 S 63 to 1 S 75 , and what hard labour it vvas and how vve rejoiced when our excellent Secretary announced a balance of

£ 2000 for investment . Happily we have now replaced , and a little over , the sum of £ 13 , 000 wc had when vve commenced building in 1 SO 3 , and 1 do not think it would be wise in us ever to part with it for any purpose whatever—nay , further , I believe it is our dut y to raise it to at least £ 40 , 000 or £ 50 , 000 as " a permanent investment , and any building operations should be delayed until special funds are provided by the Craft . I believe it to be the duty of the House

Committee to ensure the permanence of the present Institution , ancl not to launch out into new projects , unless the Craft comes forward to provide the funds . As to candidates , if you clear the list in April , 1 SS 1 , by October , 1 SS 2 , it will be as large as ever . Faithfully and fraternally yours , HENRY SMITH , P . M . 3 S 7 , Vice-Patron .

BOYS' PREPARATORY SCHOOL . Dear Bro . Kenning , —¦ As you will notice , I was present at the monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Boys' School , and suggested , and carried , an enlargement of the powers of the Committee , as proposed by Bro . Raynham \ V . Stewart . I did so for the following reasons , as my remarks tcstiiicd .

1 . Because I felt certain large building operations would be distasteful , both to the provincial and Metropolitan subscribers . 2 . Because , while feeling myself the absolute need of increase , yet it is a matter on which there are lino sides , and necessarily two opinions , and nothing should be done hastily , or by any sort of prearranged conclusion , but calmly ,

leisurel y , carefully , and dispassionately . 3 . It is well that the real object of this proposal should , while it is closely scanned , bc as carefully thought over hy the subscribers , as it may be the turning point of the utility and progress of the School for some time to come . 4 . Many of our boys come up now very young , just able to read , and it is quite clear that if vve are to make our

education thorough and real we must have a preparatory School . 5 . The question of expense may be left , as in times past , to the Craft , it bcingclearly understood the present funded property is not to be touched . C . Therefore , it is that , as 1 know , the House Committee is most anxious , and vet , at thc same time , cautious , in the

matter . I think Bro . Roebuck will confirm me . An alternative has been suggested , to prevent a large outlay and " building operations " at present , to have a house near Wood Green , as an experiment for two or three years to take in fifty boys .

In that time we can carefully ariange and fully consider as to site and other matters , but it is most important , both in the interests of the School and of many poor petitioners for its undeniable benefits , to try and meet such sad and serious needs as are forced on our notice . I am , dear Bro . Kenning , yours fraternally ,

A . F . A . WOODFORD

HIGH GRADE MASONRY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have but just now seen your publication of th ; 4 th inst ., and noticed the letter of Bro . " B . B . " I suppose him to bc a Master Mason , and I note his modesty in asking for a clear statement of the history , ceremonies , and degrees ol the A . and A . Rite , before he offers himself

as a candidate . Did he have these particulars of thc Craft before he offered himself there ? If he really does aspire to High Grades he must approach with a Masonic spirit , and I may tell him the A . and A . Rite arc perfectly satisfied of the solidity of their position , and have no need to seek candidates , for not all that now apply are found eligible . I am , yours fraternally , CHAS . FENDEL 0 W , 33 , I . G . W . C . D ., A . and A . Rite .

THK STATUS OF GRAND OFFICERS . To thc Editor of thc Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I should not have ventured to obtrude myself on your forbearance again , had I not been anxious , despite " Bayard's" facetious finally , " not to have my humble position in this animated controversy , misconstrued or

misconceived . "Bayard , in amusing " chaff , " tells you he cannot _ profess to understand my argument ; as regards his I am in a complete "London fog . " At one time I did think I had mastered what he was "driving at , " now I give up the attempt in despair . I fancied that the " idea " running through his word , or at any rate " Lex Scripta ' s , " with whom " Bayard " has struck up such an agreeable

" concordat , _ vvas this , that though Provincial Grand Masters presided "de jure" in Grand Lodge in order of precedence , it vvas not clearly expressed by the Book of Constitutions . Had this been really the point at issue I could have agreed that the law respecting their right of presidency might be made more distinct , though I think ,

taking the Book of Constitutions as a whole , and not merely as a part , the intention and usage of Grand Lodge are clear enough . But still there is no harm in clearness or expression , and if any " weak brethren " doubt , let their doubts be made to disappear . "Lex Scripta" knows , if " Bayard" does not , that it is

Original Correspondence.

a legal axiom , that what is done " ex communi consensu ' within legal memory , and according to custom , must be presumably if not of " Statute " yet of " Common law . " The " Common law" of Masonry , as I know it , since 1 S 44 , has been that in the absence of certain hi gh officials , Provincial Grand Officers presided , by right of precedence , over all other invested Grand Lodge Officers . Bro . John

Fawcett , the late distinguished ruler of the Province of Durham , our oldest Provincial Grand Master , would say , I feel sure , if asked , that when he has presided over Grand Lodge , he presided by virtue of an unimpeached and unimpeachable right , not by " * sufferance , " or even contrary to law , as " Bayard '' and his friends suggest . When then , 1 hear such a reversal of ancient customs propounded with an authoritative dogmatism worthy of

our ancient Bro . "Confucius" himself , I am like the "sleeper awakened ; " I rub my eyes , I ask where I am or into what company I have got , and I write to the Freemason , an sign dmyself NOT INFALLIBLE . P . S . I beg respectfully to ask "Bayard" once more , what have Scottish and Irish Provincial Grand Masters to do with the question ? They are not asked to give up what has been their unchallenged right within the memory of neatly two Masonic generations . —N . I .

THE MARK DEGREE—A SUGGESTION . _ To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . — The Grand Mark Lodge of England will shortly complete the first quarter of a century of its existence . Its remarkable , signal , and , perhaps , unprecedented success must almost astonish its orisrinal founders . With a muster

roll of nearly fifteen thousand members , a list of well nigh three hundred lodges , and recognised by all the governing bodies of the Degree throughout the world , the importance of thc Grand Mark Lodge of England can be no longer ignored . In June , 1 SS 1 , the lease of the present offices of the Grand Secretary terminates , and , I believe , it is proposed to remove elsewhere the head-quarters of the Order .

Would it not be possible to take advantage of this change to acquire , by purchase or otherwise , a building in which the half-yearly communications of Grand Lodge could be held in a hall adapted to such meetings , containing at the same time proper oflice accommodation and rooms for a library and museum , after the manner of the Supreme Grand Council at 33 , Golden-square ?

I feel assured that the brethren of the Mark Degree would contribute liberally in aid of such a scheme , the elaboration of which I leave to others . Nothing could add more to the prestige of the Degree than the possession of a building of the kind I indicate , and I need not point out to the metropolitan brethren how much the inherent beauty of our ceremonies would be enhanced if the

Degree was worked in London in a suitable hall , with appropriate furniture and decorations . The current expenses could be much lessened b y the rents paid b y subordinate lodges , and other recognised Masonic bodies would , 1 believe , gladly avail themselves of the accommodation afforded by the hall of the Mark Masters . The Orders of the Temple and Maltafor

in-, stance , are without an abiding place in which their meetings can be held , and might render us material assistance . These Degrees , along wilh the Mark ' , would be greatly benefited by the acquisition of such a building as 1 have indicated ; and I need hardly mention what an interestingcollection might be formed in illustration of the history cf these Orders and their prototypes , as well as that of the

Mark Degree itself . It would be premature even to contemplate building for ourselves , but I venture to think some such accommodation could be found as would enable us to follow on a somewhat larger scale the excellent example set us by the rulers of the Ancient and Accented Rite . Fraternally yours , P . G . M . M . M .

THE GRAND LODGES OF SCOTLAND AND QUEBEC . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the Freemason of the 13 th Ncvcmber , Bro . James H . Neilson refers to my letter published on the Gth November in reference to the . settlement of the differences

between the Grand Lodge ; of Scotland and Quebec , and expresses regret that I had not waited " until" the matter had been finally approved of by the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Quebec . " While I have no desire to enter'into a newspaper controversy with Bro . Neilson on the subject , I must ask your permission to " set myself right " in reference to it . Knowing that you were much interested in the

matter , and having rcaa your articles in the Freemason about it , 1 merely sent you , as an item of news , a statement which was going the rounds of the . Canadian newspapers . The copy of the proclamation of the Grand Master of Quebec which I sent you was clipped from a Montreal paper published several days before the date of

my letter to you . The terms of the settlement were publicly known in Canada , and were freely talked of by members of thc Grand Lodge of Quebec . There surely could be no harm whatever , unless indeed in Bro . Neilson's imagination , in informing you of what vvas a matter of notoriety in the Masonic world on this side ot the Atlantic . Yours fraternally ,

T . NISBET ROBERTSON

HOW'S "FREEMASON'S MANUAL . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In a letter from Bro . Yarker in your last week ' s number he asserts that a paragraph in the article on the A . and P . Rite in the new edition of Bro . How ' s ' •' Freemason ' s Manual" ( just published by me ) had been

suppressed at the instance of the Supreme Council of the A . and A . Rite . I shall he glad if you will allow me to state , emphatically , that such a suggestion is entirely without foundation . The paragraph in question , which even Bro . Yarker characterises as having been a " little eulogistic , " was excised by me upon my own judgment solely—no onu else having seen the MS . —and , indeed , the A . and A .

Supreme Council , or anyone connected with that body , would be quite unaware that there was even to be an article on the A . and P . Rite in the new edition of How ' s " Freemason ' s Manual" until a copy of the work was seen . It would have been better , and the more usual course , had Bro . Yarker written to me before putting in circulation- a statement of which his explanation now is , that it originated in a remark he heard made in a railway carriage .